Very defined for everyone so they get a better idea of how they work.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The TPMS includes:


the smart junction box (SJB), TPMS functionality is integrated within the SJB.
four tire pressure sensors.
four tire pressure sensor cradles.
four tire pressure sensor straps.
an instrument cluster indicator.
a message center (if equipped).
TPMS System Module
The SJB contains the TPMS functionality. Refer to Tire Monitoring System; Testing and Inspection for TPMS fault diagnosis and repair.

The SJB compares the information of each tire pressure sensor transmission against a pressure limit.

If the SJB determines that the tire pressure has fallen below the low limit, the SJB communicates this to the instrument cluster on the vehicle communication bus.

TPMS Pressure Sensor
The SJB monitors the air pressure in the 4 road tires with tire pressure sensors. The sensors transmit radio frequency (RF) signals to the SJB approximately every 60 seconds when the vehicle speed exceeds 32 km/h (20 mph).

The tire pressure sensors are battery operated and are mounted to metal brackets (called cradles) on the wheels inside the tires. The sensors are mounted 180 degrees from the valve stem.

The tire pressure sensor can be serviced separately from the cradle and the strap.

TPMS Pressure Sensor Cradle
The tire pressure sensor cradles are mounted to the wheels with metal straps and have an adhesive strip to aid in their retention to the wheel. To service the sensor cradle, the strap must also be removed.

TPMS Pressure Sensor Strap
The sensor strap is what keeps the sensor and the cradle retained to the wheel. A factory-installed strap is joined together with a one-time use buckle and a dealer-installed strap is joined together with a worm gear (similar to a radiator hose clamp). Both straps should be discarded after removal and should not be re-used.

The strap can be serviced separately from the sensor and the cradle. The sensor is available separately from the cradle and the strap. The cradle and strap are available as a strap kit. There are several different strap kits available based on wheel diameter, all strap kits share the same base part number.

Instrument Cluster and Message Center
The instrument cluster illuminates the TPMS indicator when it receives a message from the SJB to do so and displays the appropriate message(s) in the message center (if equipped). The instrument cluster and message center have separate diagnostic and repair procedures.

 

idk if u want to sticky this somewhere or what.

 

I work at Discount Tire and deal with cars with TPMS all the time. I've seen those things fall off inside wheels and be torn to peices haha. I dont think you are supposed to use fix-a-flat or anything if you have TPMS

 

Tire PMS? sounds like a b**** to work on them.

 

nope you are not to use fix a flat it will ruin the sensors tpms are cool if they work they are easy to work on if you know what you are doing an know how to reset them id you have to have them replaced the band type make it hard to up grade wheel you can not put the sensor in but it is against the law as of September 1 an the band type make it even hard to up grade wheels an work on

 

yeah its not bad. I dont like the band ones as much as i like the ones that are connected right at the valve stem.

 

A local tire shop was talking about this the last time I was in there. They are not impressed with this system at all. When I mentioned that I had ordered my Ranger, they asked if the Ranger could be ordered without the TPMS. They have seen problems when all they did was rotate the tires. The only good thing they had to say about the system was that it brought in a lot of business and all they had to do was reset the computer (there wasn't anything wrong with the tires).
...Terry

 

ya it is all just another money making thing an now you can not get a car that does not have it now all the cars have them even to the cheap ones

 

there not to bad to work on if you know the system. if u get a flat though, your ****ed, they get smashed!

 

Is there a way to disable the warnings, etc. if you want to change wheels?

 

i have wheels changed on mine and i just ignore the light, it does no harm but bother the **** out of you with all the blinking, i know some people just put a small piece of tape over it. the only way to get rid of it is to switch the system over from your stock tires, or buy new tpms sensors. I have yet to check my ranger for a fuse for this system but ill check tomorrow for ya, im sure there is though.

 

are they the band type or the valve stem type